50

most beautiful and a revelation of what that tree can attain,
to those who have only seen it; in temperate climates or in the
villages and towns of South Africa,

The dwelling of the owner proved to be a most charming
country house. The dining-room was panelled with oak, dis-
playing the magnificent collection of silver cups gained by the
stock of the e$tencia. Our host was in the proud position of
having just won at the cattle show, then being held at Buenos
Aires, the highest awards for both Herefords and Shorthorns.
The competition for such prices lies in the Argentine between a
limited number of noted breeders, and it is felt well to bring
in a jxidge from the outside*. That year an English gentleman,
well known in connection with the Royal and other shows, had
been requested to act. Eighty thousuul Argentine dollars, or
over £7,000 sterling, were paid at this show for a champion bull,
being the highest price yet given for such an animal. After
luncheon we inspected the large farm buildings where the
most valuable of the stock were housed. The remainder of the
• cattle, some 7,000 in all, lived in different large enclosures in
various parts of the estate, with a cottage near-by for the care-
taker. The owner was assisted by an English and a French
manager, and 260 peons or labourers, mostly Italian, were
employed on the estamia* They earn £3 xos. a month, with
practically no expenses, being housed in a row of buildings
with a mess-room in common. There was no lack of labour,
applicants having continually to be turned away.

Our education was continued by a visit to the market at
Buenos Aires, where anything up to 5,000 head of cattle
are disposed of daily. These are brought from all parts of the
Argentine, and were formerly driven across country. Now, how-
ever, owing to the prevalence of wire fences, they are generally
brought by train. They are confined in open pens, and sold by
auction or otherwise. The cattle auctioneers are men of high
position, and regard themselves as the aristocracy of the city.
• The animation of the scene is increased by the number of rough:
riders who career on spirited ponies up and down the alley-ways,
looking after the stock and lassoing refractory beasts* No man
connected with the " camp," as the open country is termed, ever
thinks of walking at anytime. The Argentine saddle lias special
, and consists of a pad eachside of the spine of the